LIRR: ‘Wider, Brighter’ NY Penn Concourse—With No ‘Head Knockers’

Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief
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Marc A. Hermann / MTA

MTA Long Island Rail Road on Sept. 6 opened a partially reconstructed and modernized 33rd Street Concourse at New York Penn Station.

The “crummy terminal” (as characterized by New York MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber), last reconstructed 30 years ago, has now nearly doubled in width, from 30 to 57 feet, and its ceilings have been raised to 18 feet. The concourse stretches from Seventh Avenue near the 1/2/3 subway to Eighth Avenue near the A/C/E subway and now features 9,500 square feet of programmable color-changing LED ceiling lights.

Marc A. Hermann / MTA

This phase of the $559 million project, completion of which is expected in 2023, required $380 million in state funding, with 30% of the contracts awarded to minority and women owned businesses. Construction began on the East End Gateway in June 2019, which opened to the public in December 2020. In March 2022, seven massive, low-hanging ten-ton beams informally known as “Head Knockers” that historically limited the heights in Penn Station passageways to 6 feet, 8 inches, were removed. The structures above Penn Station are now supported by an innovative structural framing system installed by Skanska/AECOM.

Marc A. Hermann / MTA

Upon completion next year, the concourse will feature new mechanical systems that allow for better air circulation and an expanded volume of fresh air; enhanced accessibility including a new elevator entrance, the replacement of four elevators and new elevator communication systems; “intuitive wayfinding”; and more retail and dining options.

“The reopening of the concourse, on time and on budget, is a step toward the full-scale reconstruction of Penn Station into a modern, spacious, world-class single-level terminal that is open to natural light,” the MTA said. “The reconstruction of the Penn Station LIRR concourse is one of three major projects that is transforming the experience of LIRR riders in the coming months, along with opening of service to Grand Central Madison and the opening of a new Main Line third track. Each day, more than half of Penn Station’s 600,000 users [which also include NJ Transit, Amtrak and New York City Transit subway passengers) pass through the LIRR Concourse, including the vast majority of Penn Station’s more-than 200,000 daily LIRR riders.

Marc A. Hermann / MTA

“This wider, brighter LIRR concourse is just a glimpse of what is coming  and this project shows the MTA is ready to finish transforming the crummy terminal New Yorkers have been suffering with for 50-plus years into a world-class facility,” said Lieber.

“The MTA is ready to finish transforming the crummy terminal New Yorkers have been suffering with for 50-plus years into a world-class facility.” – Janno Lieber. Marc A. Hermann / MTA

“The LIRR has taken another step toward its transformation into a modern, more flexible, more accessible railroad,” added LIRR Interim President and Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi. “The new elevated ceilings, bright lights, better air flow and improved accessibility create a more comfortable and welcoming space for everyone.”

Marc A. Hermann / MTA
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